Eneche Warns Local Collaborators Aiding Terrorists, Backs FG’s No-Negotiation Policy

Former Defence Spokesperson, Gen. John Eneche (Rtd), has warned that local collaborators work with terrorists to share the proceeds from abducting individuals.

He said this makes it difficult for security agencies to end abductions because the collaborators share information and benefit financially from the crimes.

He recalled an incident in Benue where a local security operative connived with terrorists but was later arrested.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Thursday, he aligned himself completely with the New Minister of Defense, Gen. Christopher Musa’s position that negotiations with terrorists should not take place.

“Why am I saying so? I have been involved and monitored a situation whereby you bring the ransom, and they will ask for more. They are not sincere people, and they can never be sincere. At the end, they end up killing the people,” he said.

Eneche also recalled an incident during his service years when a senior officer was abducted and the kidnappers kept demanding more items, including a motorcycle and additional ransom.

He insisted that developing an indigenous homeland security system that uses local scouts is the best way to end insecurity, saying “these people are trackable.”

“These people are trackable. They are traceable when you use real local scouts. Now, what am I talking about? They will track them, follow them to the forest, to everywhere, and tackle them,” he said.

He cited an example of a community that sought his guidance months ago. After training and grooming their local security team, the community began tracking kidnappers, and there were no fresh attacks for six months.

Furthermore, he said his company is working on a civil security programme that can help communities and governments strengthen their local defence systems, and he is open to partnering with any organisation, state government, or even the Chief of Defence Staff.

He also stressed that ransom payment must stop, insisting that Nigeria must “take its destiny in its own hands” by developing strong homeland security methods.

“Ransom payment is out of it,” he said.